(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) announces the appointment of Greg Whitaker as the Executive Director for the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority (GECA). He will begin his role on May 16.

“We are delighted to have Greg join GEMA/HS and GECA,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “With his immeasurable amount of experience, there is no doubt that he will pave the way for our state to continue being the trailblazer for 911 and emergency communications.”

Whitaker was the Douglas County E-911 Director for 28 years, prior to that, he worked with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years. He was a member of the National Emergency Number Association and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. Whitaker was the President of the Georgia 911 Directors Association from 2008 until 2018. 

Whitaker is a graduate of North Central Georgia Law-Enforcement Academy, and has served as a guest instructor at the Fulton County Public Safety Training Center, the Clayton Regional Law-Enforcement Academy, the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Training Center. 

He worked on legislation to help establish the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority, which he was appointed as a member of the board in 2017 and served until 2021. Whitaker and his wife Vicki have two daughters and reside in Douglas County.

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.